Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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TRANSMITTING ADVERTISEMENTS TO SMART CARDS
Background of the Invention
The present invention relates to data or
transaction cards containing semiconductor processors
and/or memory chips.
Such cards are commonly referred to as chip cards
(or smart cards). They are typically wallet-size and
contain a microchip. Often, there are electrical
contacts on the surface of the card through which
communications are made between an external chip card
device and the semiconductor chip, but there are also
wireless chip cards in which communication is made using
a wireless transceiver located within the card. Chip
cards are now being used in numerous applications,
including telecommunications, government benefits
programs, health care, public transportation,
universities, and vending machines.
One of the widespread uses of chip cards today is
as a stored-value card which contains monetary value i.n
the microchip embedded in the card. For example, each
time a consumer uses a chip card in a vending machine,
the amount of the purchase is deducted from the cash
balance stored in the microchip on the card. One
application for such stored-value cards is eliminating
the need for people to carry around small coins or bills
and speeding up the time it takes to consummate small
cash transactions. However, current chip cards offer no
built-in mechanism for viewing the cash balance remaining
on the chip card. This reduces the convenience and ease
of use of chip cards.
Initially, a consumer could only determine the
cash balance on a chip card by taking the card to a
vending machine, retail location, or other point of
purchase equipped with a chip card reader. Several
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portable chip card readers were developed to provide chip -
card users with a convenient way to determine the cash
balance on their chip cards.
Although these portable chip card reading devices,
including the ones shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,015,830 to
Masuzawa and U.S. Pat. No. 5,517,011 to Vandenengel, make
chip cards more convenient to use than without such
devices, these chip card readers still suffer from
numerous disadvantages. For example, some require
battery replacement at regular intervals; some portable
card readers are sealed units in which the batteries
cannot be replaced, thus requiring the consumer to
purchase a new card reader every time the batteries wear
out. Many chip cards require their own specially
programmed card reader; if a consumer has several types
of chip cards in his or her wallet, they could also
require several different chip card readers in their
wallet, which would be bulky, inconvenient, and very
impractical to use. Current chip card readers are
inconvenient to use, as they either require the consumer
to insert the chip card into the reader each time the
consumer wants to check the balance, or the consumer must
keep the chip card in the reader at all times, press a
button to check the balance, and then remove the card
from the reader in order to consummate a transaction.
They require the consumer to carry a separate device,
which can easily be lost or forgotten, leaving the
consumer without any way to spontaneously determine the
cash balance on the chip card. They are costly devices
in relation to the total cost of manufacturing a chip
card. It is easy to forget the cash balance on the chip
card, which requires the consumer to frequently recheck
the balance using the portable balance reader.
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Displays have been suggested for data cards. U.S. Patent -
No. 4,954,985 to Yamazaki discloses a card with a
ferroelectric liquid crystal memory region and a
ferroelectric liquid crystal display region. U.S. Patent
No. 4,746,787 to Suto discloses an IC Card with a display
and an integrated circuit containing a processor and
memory. Neither patent suggests a flexible display
element or flexible card body. Yamazaki refers to using
both Corning 7059 glass or plastic for the card body,
without any indication that one is preferable to the
other. Suto suggests plastic for the card substrate but
the disclosed liquid crystal display would fracture if
the card underwent flexing of the type and magnitude
experienced by a card during normal use, handling, and
storage (e.g., storage in a pocket, wallet, or purse?.
In the case of chip cards used in applications
other than stored-value, such as health care, currently
available chip cards require the user to go to a location
with a chip card reader in order to display information
contained in the microchip on the card. If a health care
chip card holder has a serious medical condition and is
taking medication for that condition, an emergency
caregiver must have access to a chip card reader to find
out what medication the patient is taking or what medical
condition the person has that could be critical in
deciding what emergency treatment to give the patient.
Today, many chip cards contain information that would be
very valuable if it could be instantly accessed, but
which loses its value once the card user has to search
and take the time to find a chip card reader in order to
access the information.
Chip card systems divide broadly into open or
closed systems. Closed systems limit chip card usage to
particular chip card readers. For example, a long-
distance carrier may offer chip cards that only operate
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their long-distance equipment. Open systems (e.g., -
VisaCash) operate on a wider variety of chip card
readers.
Often chip cards include advertisements
permanently printed on their body. For example, a long
distance calling card may feature a printed image of the
long distance carrier's trademark.
Summary of the Invention
The invention provides a chip card with a
practical, built-in display. The card can undergo flexing
of the type and magnitude experienced by a card during
normal use, handling, and storage (e.g., storage in a
pocket, wallet, or purse) without permanent damage to the
display element or permanent loss of the displayed
information.
In general, the invention features a chip card
including a flexible body; at least one semiconductor chip
supported within the flexible body and comprising a memory
for storing the information; a display element capable of
displaying at least a portion of the information stored in
the semiconductor chip, the display element being
supported within the flexible body and comprising display
areas viewable from at least one side of the chip card;
circuitry for controlling the display element; the chip
card being capable of undergoing flexing of the type and
magnitude experienced by a card during normal use,
handling, and storage (e. g., storage in a pocket, wallet,
or purse) without permanent damage to the display element
and without permanent loss of the displayed information.
One or more of the following features may be
incorporated into embodiments of the invention: the
display element, itself, can be made tolerant of such
flexing, or the display can be located in an area of the
chip card that does not undergo substantial flexing (e. g.,
a corner).
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The display element may have the capability to -
continue displaying information after electrical power is
removed from it. The display element may offer a multi-
color display. The display element may offer stereoscopic
effects, for example, by layering a barrier strip over the
display element. Additionally, the card may feature
multiple displays.
Contacts exposed on a surface of the card can be
provided for establishing communication with the
semiconductor chip. Alternatively, a wireless
communication element can be provided within the card.
Internal connection elements may be provided for
connecting the semiconductor chip to the display element.
The internal connection elements are preferably configured
to withstand flexing.
The flexible body may be constructed from various
materials, including plastic, paper, reinforced paper, and
cardboard. If from plastic, the material may include
polyvinyl chloride, polyester, ABS, or polycarbonate.
A substantially transparent layer of protective
plastic may be provided to cover the display areas of the
display element.
An additional information storage medium (e.g., bar
code symbol, magnetic stripe element) may be provided in
addition to the semiconductor chip.
The card may include a power source. The power
source may be replaceable and/or rechargeable. The card
may provide a mechanism to conserve power (e.g., a
kickstart circuit). The power source may provide multi-
media features. For example, the power source may drive a
speaker, a microphone, or cause the display element to
produce a series of images (e.g., a video clip) on the
display element. The power supply may also power
communication elements in a contactless card.
The invention has numerous advantages. It avoids
the need for external readers by providing a practical
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built-in display of information stored on a card that can -
undergo flexing. This allows users of the cards to carry
and handle the cards as they would conventional chip cards
lacking a display. When applied to stored value cards,
the invention permits the user of a card to conveniently
determine the cash balance with as little as a quick
glance at the face of the card, similar to coins or paper
money which have their value printed on their face. The
display element can provide a display of information
without the use of batteries or any other power source,
thus reducing the long term costs to both the chip card
manufacturer and consumer. Introduction of a flexible
power source, however, can enhance the features provided
by the card (e.g., multi-media capabilities). The
invention greatly enhances the convenience, efficiency,
and practicality of chip cards for their uses.
The invention provides advantages for a wide range
of chip card applications. When used with a health care
chip card, the invention will allow the cardholder's
medical condition and medications to be displayed on the
face of the card. If the medication or medical condition
changes, the chip card reading/writing device at the
pharmacy or doctors office would update the information
shown on the display. In an emergency situation, the care
giver would have instant knowledge of the patient's
medical condition and medications, without having to take
the time to locate and use an external card reading
device.
In general, in another aspect, the invention
features a method of delivering advertisement information
from a source of advertisement information to a chip card
for display on a display element (e. g., a flexible, color
display element) of the chip card. The method includes
establishing a communication path between the source and
the chip card, transmitting the advertisement information
from the source to the chip card via the communication
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path, and displaying the transmitted advertisement -
information on the chip card display element.
Embodiments may include one or more of the
following features. The advertisement information may
include a graphic image or an image sequence. The chip
card may store advertisement information for one or more
advertisements in chip card memory. The advertisement
information displayed on the chip card may be selected
from the stored advertisements. The advertisement
information may represent, for example, an image of a
coupon or an image of a store map. The chip card may also
receive audio information or Internet addresses.
The chip card may receive selected advertisement
information. Such information may be selected based on
information retrieved from the chip card, such as a chip
card identification code, chip card usage data,
demographic data, or sound data.
The communication path may include networked
computers. Any point in the communication path may block
transmission of the advertisement information.
In general, in another embodiment, the invention
features a method of electronic ticketing using a chip
card having memory and a display element. The method
includes
transmitting ticketing information to chip card memory,
and displaying the ticketing information on the chip card
display element. The method may further include
retrieving data from the chip card to authorize admission.
The invention has numerous advantages. It offers
consumers the ability to receive advertisements, coupons,
and other information likely to prove of interest to the
consumer. Additionally, paperless transmission of
information can speed different transactions and reduce
paperwork.
The invention also enables businesses to target
advertising and other information for transmission to
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customers by analyzing detailed consumer profiles built
from demographic and transaction information. The
information sent to the chip card is presented to the
consumer whenever the consumer uses the chip card.
Further, businesses can both send information and collect
consumer profile data from the multitude of environments
that process chip cards (e. g., telephones, screen phones,
computers, ATM machines, parking meters, vending machines,
stadium ticket facilities, GSM devices, gas pumps, copy
machines, laundromats, theaters, casino gaming machines,
etc.). Additionally, businesses can track the success of
their consumer targeting efforts. For example, a business
may record when an electronic coupon was sent to a
consumer and if and when the consumer redeemed the coupon.
The invention also enables consumers to receive
ticketing information that can admit them to a venue,
guide them to their seats, and even provide coupons for
venue concessions.
Other features and advantages of the invention will
be apparent from the following description of preferred
embodiments and from the claims.
Brief Description of the Drawinct
FIGS. lA-1C show a contact-type chip card with a
flexible display element, with the optional magnetic
stripe and bar code on the reverse side of the card.
FIGS. 2A and 2B show a contact-type chip card with
a flexible card body and a display element that is located
anywhere outside of the cross-hatched area on the card.
FIG. 3 shows a credit card with a contact-type chip
and a flexible display element.
FIGS. 4A and 4B show a contactless chip card with a
flexible display element that covers the entire surface of
the card on one of the layers of the card.
FIGS. 5A-5C show a chip card with a power source.
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FIG. 6 shows the circuit block diagram for a chip -
card with a display element.
FIG. 7 shows a kickstart circuit that can control
chip card power.
FIG. 8 shows a regulator and charge controller that
can recharge a power source.
FIG. 9 shows a barrier strip layered over a display
element layer to provide stereoscopic effects.
FIG. 10 shows a multi-color display.
FIG. 11A-11B are diagrams illustrating chip card
features.
FIG. 12 is a diagram of information stored in chip
card memory.
FIG. 13 is a diagram of a chip card, a chip card
reader, and connected equipment.
FIG. 14A-14D are flowcharts of information
delivery.
FIG. 15A and 15B are diagrams of embodiments of an
information delivery system.
FIG. 16A and 16B are flowcharts of information
blocking.
FIG. 17 is a diagram of an apparatus for blocking
information.
Description of the Preferred Embodiments
Turning to FIGS. lA-1C, there is shown a chip card
10 having a transparent protective top layer 12 (PVC or
other clear plastic) and transparent (or opaque or
translucent) substrate 14 (PVC or other plastic). The top
layer and substrate (body) may be molded or machined into
the necessary shape to accommodate the internal components
of the card. Indicia are printed on the top layer (e. g.,
on the interior surface), and a hologram (not shown in
FIGS. lA-1C; see 32 in FIG. 3) may be installed beneath
the top layer (e.g., a rainbow hologram element as
commonly used on credit cards). A conventional magnetic
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stripe 34 and signature panel can be provided on the -
bottom of the card (FIG. 1B).
An integrated circuit 16 is mounted beneath a
printed circuit board 18, which fits within a cutout in
the card body. Contacts 20 cover one entire surface of
the printed circuit board and the contacts are exposed to
the outside of the card through the cutout, to provide
electrical connection to the card. The size of the
printed circuit board is exaggerated in the cross
sectional views, e.g., FIG. 1C; it has the same lateral
extent as the connector contacts 20, which cover one
surface of the board.
A display element 22 is provided on the top surface
of the card. In one implementation, transparent
electrodes 24 (indium tin oxide or other substantially
clear conductive material) are deposited on the interior
surfaces of the top layer (best seen in FIG. 1C) and
bottom layer. The electrodes may be configured to provide
either a dot matrix pattern or a segmented display
pattern. Z-axis conductor 28 (known polymeric material
with conductivity only in the Z axis) provides conductive
paths from the printed circuit board to the electrodes on
the bottom layer. Contact with the electrodes on the top
layer is via connections through the Z-axis conductor
between the top and bottom layers (i.e., the bottom layer
acts as a pass through for connections to the top layer,
rather than having the printed circuit board be connected
to both layers, thereby simplifying construction).
The electrodes work in conjunction with liquid
crystal display (LCD) film 26, which is a bi-stable or
multi-stable display material that will maintain an image
when power has been removed. In this way, it is
unnecessary for the chip card to have its own power
source, or be connected to a power source, for the display
to function. The preferred LCD material is a
ferroelectric LCD. These LCDs are based on smectic liquid
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crystals typically of the smectic C phase with chiral
behavior. When formed in a thin layer the ferroelectric
material has a net polarization that is perpendicular to
the viewing surface. The electrodes apply a field that
rotates polarization between an "on" and an "off" state.
Ferroelectric LCDs are typically sensitive to shock or
bending, making them unsuitable for use in a chip card
that can be bent (e. g., when stored in a wallet). To make
the ferroelectric LCD less sensitive to bending, the
ferroelectric liquid crystal (FLC) is fixed to a side-
chain of the polymer used to create the LCD film (e.g., as
taught in Japanese Patent Document No. 63-318526) or where
the FLC is dispersed in the polymer film (e. g., as taught
in U.S. Patent No. 5,638,194).
Other implementations can include different display
elements such as suspended particle displays or field
emission displays. These display elements, however,
require a power source to display images.
Referring to FIG. 10, a filter layer 88 can add
color to an otherwise monochromatic LCD display. The
filter layer 88 may include color filters for red, green,
and blue. A pixel 86 either blocks color filtered light
or permits the color to illuminate a pixel 86. Though
each pixel 86 only shows red, green, or blue, the viewer
spatially integrates the colors to perceive combinations
of the above colors (e. g., purple).
Referring to FIG. 11, the display can offer
stereoscopic effects such as images that appear three-
dimensional and images that alter their appearance based
on viewing angle (e. g., a face that winks as a viewer
moves the card). For example, an LCD barrier strip 80
(described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,315,377 to Isono,
incorporated by reference) intersperses vision blocking
barrier regions with viewing regions to control the image
perceived by a viewer. By choosing appropriate underlying
LCD image, the barrier strip 80 alters image appearance.
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As shown in FIG. 11, left eye 76 sees point A, but not -
point B, while right eye 80 sees point B, but not point A.
Referring again to FIG. 1C, the integrated circuit
16 includes a microprocessor for storing and processing
information, and circuitry for powering and controlling
the display element. In embodiments that store cash, the
display can be configured as a dot matrix display. The
display driving circuitry can use a multiplexed technique
used in commercial passive displays to quickly refresh the
display.
As shown in FIG. 6, the microprocessor 40 controls
a driver circuit 42, which develops the voltages
appropriate to activate and deactivate the display element
pixels. A power source on the card or an external power
source (e. g., a card reader) can provide the power needed
by the microprocessor 40 and other stages. Polarity
switch 44 at the output of the driver circuit selects
whether the row or column electrode is to receive the
positive polarity. Row/column selector switch determines
which specific row/column pair receives the voltages
produced by the polarity switch and driver circuit.
Microprocessor 40 controls the driver circuit 42, polarity
switch 44, and row/column selector switch 46.
The microprocessor 40 can also support multiple
applications. Many smart cards support the Java
programming language. Such applications may include
compression/ decompression applications that reduce the
amount of information exchanged between the card and a
card reader.
The assembled chip card may safely undergo flexing
of the type and magnitude experienced by a card during
normal use, handling, and storage (e.g., storage in a
pocket, wallet, or purse)" by which is meant flexing the
card through the following five tests with the card still
functioning and with it not showing any cracked part (see
ISO 7816-1, hereby incorporated by reference):
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1. With the contacts facing up, bend the long side-
of the card through a deflection of 2 cm at a rate of 30
bendings per minute, for a total of 250 bendings.
2. With the contacts facing down, bend the long
side of the card through a deflection of 2 cm at a rate of
30 bendings per minute, for a total of 250 bendings.
3. With the contacts facing up, bend the short
side of the card through a deflection of l cm at a rate of
30 bendings per minute, for a total of 250 bendings.
4. With the contacts facing down, bend the short
side of the card through a deflection of 1 cm at a rate of
30 bendings per minute, for a total of 250 bendings.
5. Place the card in a machine that applies
torsion to its short sides, the maximum displacement being
15 degrees (plus or minus 1 degree) in alternative
directions at a rate of 30 torsions per minute for a total
of 1,000 torsions.
Alternatively, the assembled chip card may safely
undergo "approximately 50% of the flexing of the type and
magnitude experienced by a card during normal use,
handling, and storage (e. g., storage in a pocket, wallet,
or purse)" by which is meant bending and torsioning the
card through the same five bending and torsion tests
described above, but with 50% of the given amounts of
deflection (1 and 0.5 cm instead of 2 and 1 cm) for the
bending tests (1-4) and 33.3% of the given amount of
angular displacement (5 degrees instead of 15 degrees) for
the torsion tests (5), with the card still functioning and
with it not showing any cracked part.
In performing the above tests, correct functioning
of the card should be ascertained every 125 bends or
torsions.
The display may not function perfectly, or at all,
while the card is flexed into a curved shape, but once the
card is allowed to assume its original shape the display
will again function correctly. Contributing to this
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flexibility are the polymer substrates (top and bottom -
layers) and the z-axis conductor for making connections
between the printed circuit board and the display. The z-
axis conductor can withstand the variable compression that
flexing produces.
FIGS. 2A and 2B show a chip card in which the
display element is made tolerant of flexing by being
located in an area of the card that does not undergo
substantial flexing. The display element is located at
IO the corners of the card, outside of the cross-hatched
areas in the figures. The cross-hatched area consists of
a horizontal band and a vertical band. Preferably, as
shown in FIG. 2A, the horizontal band is 6 millimeters
wide, and the vertical band 15 millimeters wide. More
preferably, as shown in FIG. 2B, the horizontal band is 11
millimeters wide, and the vertical band 30 millimeters
wide. FIGS. 5B and 5C show a card featuring multiple
display elements.
FIG. 3 shows a credit card 10 comprising a contact-
type chip card with contacts 18 and flexible display
element 22. Printed lettering 52 and embossed card
numbers (and expiration date) 50 are included, as is a
hologram 32.
FIGS. 4A and 4B show a contactless chip card with a
flexible display element covering substantially the entire
surface of the card. A wireless communication element (not
shown) is connected to printed circuit board 18. Z-axis
conductor 28 connects the printed circuit board to the
upper transparent electrodes of the display element.
Lower transparent electrodes are connected directly to the
printed circuit board. Some printed lettering 52 is used,
but all of the lettering could be provided by the display.
FIGS. 5A-5C show a chip card incorporating a power
source (e.g., a battery or solar cell element) 38. The
card may feature a small inflexible battery (e.g., a
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supercap) positioned in an area of the card that does not -
undergo substantial flexing, or, preferably, a flexible
thin-film lithium battery, such as Oak Ridge National
Laboratories' thin-film battery.
Inclusion of a power source 38 can enhance card
functions with a variety of capabilities including multi-
media. For example, in FIGS. 5B and 5C, the power source
38 drives a flexible speaker/microphone 54 that offers
multiple-octave sound in a slim profile device (e. g., U.S.
Patent No. 5,215,472 to Park describes a flexible
piezoelectric speaker/microphone made of polymer films,
and is incorporated herein). Other types of speakers or
microphones may be used that do not offer similar
flexibility, but may nevertheless be positioned in an area
of the card that does not undergo substantial flexing.
Addition of a power supply 38 can also produce
animation sequences on the display element 22. By
retrieving and displaying different sections of
information stored in the semiconductor chip at successive
time periods, the card can produce a series of images
(e.g, a video clip or slide-show) on the display 22.
A card can provide several methods of controlling
output from a power source 38 to conserve card energy.
Referring to FIG. 7, the card can incorporate a kickstart
circuit 70 (e. g., a flip-flop 70 that controls power
source 38) connected to a user controlled contact area 58.
Pressing the contact area 58 causes the kickstart circuit
70 to initiate power output from the power source 38. The
kickstart circuit can provide power for a pre-determined
time period or until a subsequent pressing of the contact
area 58 as shown. In another implementation, the contact
area 58 could instead merely connect otherwise
disconnected wires to draw power from the power source 38.
As mentioned, however, in the preferred embodiment, the
display element does not need power to display a static
image when the power source does not deliver power. The
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contact area 58 can control other card functions, for -
example, clearing the display element.
Both contact and contactless cards can use a power
source 38. While both card types could use a card design
that offers access to a power source 38 for simple
replacement, each type of card may offer various recharge
capabilities. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, a card
could include a regulator charge control circuit 74 that
accepts current and voltage from an external power source
(e.g., a card reader) via contacts 20 for storage in a
battery 38. A contactless card can recharge a power
supply 38 from communication signals boosted to both
transmit information and power.
Referring to FIG. 11A, the flexible chip card and
other chip cards can be used in a system for transmitting
information to a chip card. The chip card 100 shown
includes two display elements 114a-114b. Such a
configuration permits an orchestrated chip card 100
display where one display element 114a displays a stored
value (e. g., a seat number), while the other 114b displays
other graphic information (e.g., a theater seat map or
directions to the theater). A chip card 100 may instead
offer a single display element that nearly covers an
entire side of the chip card 100. As shown, display
element 114b features graphics of an electronic coupon for
a product and a map indicating the location of the product
within a store. A store chip card reader at a checkout
line can redeem the electronic coupon after verifying
purchase of the product (e. g., by comparing a Universal
Product Code (UPC) stored in the card with a UPC code
identified by a bar code scanner).
Referring to FIG. 11B, instead of providing its own
display element, speaker, etc., a card 100 may fit within
a portable chip card reader 115 that offers a display
element 114c and/or speaker 117. The chip card 100 may
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send graphic image and sound information to the portable -
chip card reader 115 for presentation.
Referring to FIG. 12, information stored in an
integrated circuit 16 can include card identification 128,
usage history information 130, audiovisual information
132, and applications 133. Card identification 128
information may include a card serial number and
potentially demographic or biographic data describing the
card owner (e.g., age, gender; etc.). Usage history 130
may include data describing prior uses of the card such as
the location, time, and nature of such uses (e. g., March
17 12:00 $1.00/vending machine/Main Street).
Audiovisual information 132 may include graphic
information, sound information, or both. Graphic
information can use a variety of data formats including
JPEG and GIF. Audiovisual information 132 may also
include text. Further, image information may be a
sequence of images that provide image animation. Both a
chip card with a display and a portable chip card reader
can access and present the audiovisual information 132.
The information 132 may form advertisements (e. g., product
descriptions, electronic coupons, etc.), maps, 'or other
helpful information. The information 132 may further
include network addresses. Storing network addresses
enables a chip card owner to insert a chip card 100 into a
chip card reader connected to a computer and visit a
website for more information related to the information
presented on the chip card. Information 132 may also
include a time stamp indicating when the card received the
information 132.
The card may store information 132a-132n for
several different presentations of audiovisual
information. The integrated circuit 116 may rotate the
information 132a-132n the chip card features (i.e.,
displays or plays on the speaker) at fixed intervals or
based on events (e. g., usage). Alternately, a card owner
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may manipulate card controls to replay stored audiovisual -
presentations, for example, to retrieve an electronic
coupon, reread map directions, or reexamine a company's
advertisement. The ability to replay presentations can
foster competition among producers to make presentations
consumers repeatedly view.
Referring to FIG. 13, a chip card reader 134 can
download audiovisual information to the chip card 100 via
a communication path 123 that includes chip card contacts
or wireless communication. Downloading may occur during
other chip card reader 134 uses (e. g., during a chip card
paid phone call). The chip card reader 134 may be a
stand-alone chip card reader, a computer peripheral, or a
portable chip card reader. The chip card reader 134 may
include software 138 and a database of audiovisual
information 136. The chip card reader 134 not only sends
information to the chip card 100, but may also store data
describing the chip card transaction including which
information the chip card reader 134 downloaded to the
chip card 100. Subsequent analysis of collected
information can enable businesses to track the
effectiveness of their advertising efforts. The software
138 may select information for one or more presentations
from the database 136 for transmission to the chip card.
In a batch system, information describing chip card
transactions may be periodically transferred to a host
computer for analysis and storage. Such transfer may
occur over a temporary modem connection or a visit by a
service person. At the same time, new presentations or
software 138 may be uploaded to the chip card reader 134.
Preferably, the chip card reader 134 connects to a
host computer 142 via a network 140. In a network
configuration, the host computer 142 may include software
146 that accesses a database of advertisement information
144. Potentially, the host computer 144 stores a more
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extensive database of advertisement information and offers -
more sophisticated analysis software 146.
Referring to FIGS. 14A-14D, a chip card reader may
transmit audiovisual information to a chip card with
varying degrees of sophistication. As shown in FIG. 14A,
a chip card reader may simply send (148) the same
audiovisual information to each chip card the reader
encounters. For example, a store may transmit the same
graphic image of an electronic coupon to each wireless
chip card that passes through a store entrance. The image
may include a map indicating the location of the product.
The audiovisual information may further include signals
that cause the chip card to generate a sound alerting an
owner entering a store of a new chip card presentation.
FIG. 14B shows a slightly more sophisticated method
of transmitting audiovisual information. In FIG. 14B, the
chip card reader selects audiovisual information for
transmission based on factors (150) such as the time,
amount, or type of transaction. For example, someone
purchasing cereal in the morning may find a chip card
coupon for milk very useful.
FIG. 14C shows a method of transmitting
audiovisual information with even greater sensitivity to
a particular customer. In FIG. 14C, the chip card reader
retrieves information (152) from the chip card. The chip
card reader can use this retrieved information (e. g.,
demographic data, usage history, or card serial number)
to select appropriate audiovisual information for delivery
For example, if the card chip reader determines, either
by retrieving usage history information from the card or
using a retrieved card serial number to find such
information in its own database, that a customer buys ice
cream weekly, the chip card reader 134 may send an ice
cream coupon to the chip card 100.
FIG. 14D shows a delivery method similar to that of
FIG. 14C with the addition of a networked computer that
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may store audiovisual information and selection software -
in addition to or in lieu of storing these elements in the
chip card reader. A networked computer can both control
the audiovisual information dispensed by different card
readers and efficiently collect chip card usage data.
The chip card reader may send retrieved chip card
information over the network (156) for processing and
receive audiovisual information from the networked
computer (158). Many permutations of this configuration
l0 are possible, both in the arrangement of the elements and
in the information exchanged. For example, rather than
sending audiovisual information for each transaction, a
computer may periodically download audiovisual information
to chip card readers en masse, then merely transmit
audiovisual information indices to the chip card reader,
reducing the amount of information transmitted over the
network.
FIGS. 15A and 15B illustrate different embodiments
that deliver audiovisual information to chip card readers.
In FIG. 15A, a chip card reader 134 connects to a host
computer 142 via a communication path 123 than includes a
communication link 140. In FIG. 15B, a chip card reader
134 attached to a computer connects to a host computer 142
via a communication path 123 that includes the Internet
140.
Referring now to FIG. 16A, software 164 (or
firmware or hardware) within the chip card may block
unwanted information transmission by putting the chip card
in protect mode. In protect mode, the card does not store
audiovisual information transmitted (174). This prevents
a chip card from storing unwanted information that may
potentially overwrite information of interest. The
protect mode may apply to chip card memory as a whole or
to individual presentations.
Referring now to FIG. 168, other points in the
transmission path may block information transmission
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(176). For example, the host computer may recognize the -
card serial number as belonging to a card owner
uninterested in receiving advertisements. Referring now
to FIG. 17, the card owner may interact with a chip card
reader that features a ~~do not download information"
button 176 that prevents transmission of information from
the chip card reader to the chip card. Again, many
permutations of the above are possible.
A variety of applications can make effective use of
the above described techniques. For example, a stadium
chip card system can quickly download electronic tickets
for single or multiple events to a chip card along with
seat and stadium location information. The ticket
information can appear on the chip card display. This can
occur at purchase time over a network, reducing box-office
lines. Admission into the stadium by chip card would
present an opportunity to download stadium specific
information to each chip card such as the location of
facilities or coupons for concession refreshments (e. g.,
cotton candy for a circus or hot-dogs for a ball game).
Of course, the stadium could generate revenue by
downloading an outside business' information for a fee.
Other embodiments of the invention are within the
following claims. E.g., other materials could be used for
the flexible top layer and substrate, and a co-processor
could be included in the card.
